2003 Ford Taurus Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,223 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,348miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Ford Taurus, 2% of the 1,223 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,348 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I started constantly smelling gas outside the car then it started smelling in cabin then I located and replaced fuel filter then realized tank appeared to be leaking around seams.”
NHTSA complaint #10767610, filed 2015-09, 136,000 miles“I was departing from parking lot and the car suddenly had some noise in the hood then lost all the power. After starting engine again, I can shift the gear into d or r, engine works ok but the car won't move at all. Before it happened, the transmission works fine, no delayed engagement, no slips, no jolts, smooth gear-changing...the transmission just stopped with no warning signs at all. The car is regularly and well maintained. No check engine light on when it happened. Later it turned out to be the stripped torque converter splines. …”
NHTSA complaint #10716291, filed 2015-05, 68,000 miles“Driving down long road, got up to 40 MPH, car stayed on that speed as if it was in cruise control mode. I had the cruise control off. I even slowed down to 30, car stayed on thirty. Had foot off the gas pedal. It surges forward. I read horror stories of other year Taurus' doing same thing, causing crashes. My 16 yr old daughter drives this car. Every other car around this years date was recalled, but not the 2003. I changed my hoses, so it's not that. The car is literally staying in cruise control mode even when it's off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10607643, filed 2014-07, 147,777 miles“I have a 2003 Ford Taurus since new. At about 70,000 miles it started having acceleration without touching the gas. No codes showed up. Every mechanic has a different opinion. Basically trial and error, none of which works. I have had the cruise checked, changed the throttle position sensor and the idle air valve. It still does this at 111,000. I am concerned for my wife's safety since it is her car. I read that Ford has not recognized this as a problem, but there are hundreds of similar online complaints.”
NHTSA complaint #10386608, filed 2011-03, 70,000 miles“I purchased the car on 2/11/08 and then took it back to the dealer the next day because the door panel broke off and the car was idling high when I drive it. They knocked $1,000 off of the sales price and took off the Ford warranty for this exchange and they wrote out another sales contract. A month later, the starter went out and I paid $200.00 to fix it (out of my pocket). Then, on 4/7/08 when I was on my way to work, the car broke down again and I called raceway Ford. …”
NHTSA complaint #10224111, filed 2008-04, 73,348 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017860Jul 1, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp coming on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0171, p0172, p0174 and/or p0175 (fuel system too rich or lean).
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 3 | 7% |
| 2016 | 7 | 8% |
| 2015 | 73 | 26% |
| 2014 | 71 | 31% |
| 2013 | 107 | 18% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2006 | 18 | 6% |
| 2005 | 41 | 5% |
| 2004 | 16 | 4% |
| 2003 | 24 | 2% |
| 2002 | 27 | 2% |
| 2001 | 23 | 2% |
| 2000 | 66 | 6% |
| 1999 | 35 | 4% |
| 1998 | 13 | 2% |
| 1997 | 33 | 4% |
| 1996 | 19 | 2% |
| 1995 | 53 | 4% |
| 1994 | 50 | 5% |
| 1993 | 48 | 3% |
| 1992 | 19 | 3% |
| 1991 | 10 | 2% |
| 1990 | 11 | 3% |
| 1989 | 28 | 5% |
| 1988 | 16 | 5% |
| 1987 | 21 | 8% |
| 1986 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Taurus
316 complaintsSuspension
313 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
196 complaintsBody and structure
111 complaintsElectrical system
97 complaintsVehicle speed control
88 complaintsEngine cooling
67 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsExterior lighting
46 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsEquipment
31 complaintsEngine
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology